#HIO2017 Rd 1: What they're saying

Matteo Manassero (Ita), First round 68 (-4)A good start, how do you feel after that round?You have to be always in play, otherwise there will be a lot of high numbers and a lot of doubles It’s very easy to lose shots on this course.I played solid, I started with a birdie putt and I just missed the fairway and hit the shoulder of the green, chipped in. It was a false start. I just kept playing well and had a lot of birdie chances and that was the key after starting with a double.Any particular highlights?I made a very good putt on 17th. I think that was important, I was two over at that point after seven holes. Making I would say a 18-footer or something like that, right to left, It brought me to one over. I always feel that the front nine, if you play well, it’s a little bit easier to… it’s more scoreable so I felt like I could have done a good comeback after that.How does this set you up for the rest of the tournament?It’s really long. I started well, which was important because I have been three weeks at home and to come back to a tough course like this, it’s never easy. So the fact that I found a lot of birdies, it’s very, very positive and I’ll try to keep it that way. Angelo Que of the Philippines.

Danny Chia (Mas) – First round 70 (-2)

Hot start, you must be happy?Pretty happy for this course. Hit a lot of good shots, just made three bad shots which cost me a double bogey and two bogeys. But overall, I’m quite happy with it.Was it a grind?I won’t say it was a grind. I hit it solid and just misjudged the wind on some holes. Coming into the week, I’ve not been hitting it all that well, have been hitting a few hooks and one or two came in today for the double (on five).Were you working on the hooks the past few weeks?I’m glad I have an idea with what’s going on with my driving. I haven’t been driving well since Hong Kong last year. Kind of got into a slump. I’m happy that I’ve started to hit it a bit better.Tough course this week, how are you treating it this week?Just have to ignore it. I hit quite a lot of good shots and got unlucky with some of the bounces on the green and some parts of the greens were pretty firm. It’s the way it is. Everyone is playing the same golf course.Angelo Que (Phi) – First round 70 (-2)You must be pleased?I’m very satisfied. Played the practice round on Tuesday and I was thinking even par for me every day would be a good score for me on this course. I shot two shots better than my target. Every time I shoot under par here is a bonus. Hit it reallyl good and putted well. It’s tough out there, the winds are a bit swirly and some holes played different than in the practice round. And this is also the first time here for a lot of us. Under par here is really good.Good final nine holes?I made three boo-boos. First hole I aimed too far right and had to take an unplayable and made bogey. Next hole I missed the green but made par and on the fifth hole, I three putted. But everything else I’m hitting it quite solid. Three birdies on that side were from two or three feet and a two-putt birdie on eight. I’m just taking it easy as it’s a tough course. You need to be patient and stick to what you do.You always seem to be smiling?I’m generally a happy guy. Why can’t you be happy? You’re playing golf, you’re travelling and you’re breathing. I’ve always been happy even when I play bad. There’s nothing you can do. You just accept it and move it. That’s always been my motto in life and in golf. That’s why I’m a happier person.This gives you a chance of winning?I won’t think too far ahead. If I could win that would be great. If not, top three, top five would be good as well. Whatever comes I’ll accept it and move on to the next event.

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